Bottle vending machine



Y 1942- H. s. CHILDERS BOTTLE VENDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 22, 1959 5Sheets-Sheet 2 HARRY 5. Cumoses,

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 c 8r 4 T ac m 1942- H. s. CHILDERS BOTTLE VENDINGMACHINE Filed Sept. 22. 1939 Patented July 21, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE BOTTLE VENDING MACHINE Harry S. Childers, Fresno, Calif.

Application September 22, 1939, Serial No. 296,089 1 18 Claims.

My invention relates to machines for vending articles of variouscharacters, and it has particular reference, although not necessarily,to coin-operated machines for vending bottles containing beverages.

It is a purpose of my invention to provide a machine for vending bottledbeverages which is characterized by its large bottle holding anddispensing capacity attained by virtue of a bottle carrier constructedto support bottles in a plurality of vertically disposed stacks, andwhere the bottles of each stack are arranged horizontally one upon theother.

It is also a purpose of my invention to provide in a bottle vendingmachine a mechanism which is operable to dispense a single bottle-fromthe bottom of each stack through endwise movement of the bottle in thecarrier, and where such bottle dispensing operation occurs successivelythrough the several stacks until all bottles have been dispensed fromthe carrier.

A further purpose of my invention is the prothen point out the novelfeatures thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view showing in front elevation one form of vending machineembodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the 1ine 2-2 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken in the samevertical plane as Fig. 2 and when combined with Fig. 2 illustrates themanner in which a bottle is discharged from the carrier.

Fig. 4 is a-horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4a is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view showing a modifiedconstruction of carrier.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a view showing in side elevation and I partly in section thecoin chutes and correlated vision of a bottle vending machine whereinwhen all bottles have been dispensed therefrom, a means becomes operableto prevent further operation of the machine and the return of any cointo the depositor inserted into the machine while empty. I

Another purpose of my invention is the provision of a bottle vendingmachine which embodies means for eifecting cessation in movement of thecarrier following each bottle dispensing operation, and wherein suchmeans is controllable independently of the 'bottle dispensed.

Another purpose of my invention is the provision in a vending machine ofa rotatable bottle carrier which includes a plurality of verticallydisposed bottle receiving racks, the structure of which is such as toallow free circulation of cool air therethrough and about the bottles toincrease the cooling efiiciency of any refrigerating medium employed.

Another purpose of my invention is the provision in a bottle vendingmachine of a cabinet for housing the bottle carrier and wherein suchcabinet is provided with a doorway normally closed by a door andproviding access to the carrier for refilling the racks with bottles,and a control switch which is accessible for manual operation only whenthe door is open to cause rotation of the carrier in the successivepresentation of the racks to the doorway so that they may be readilyrefilled with bottles.

I will describe only one form of bottle vendingnnachine embodying myinvention, and will elements of the coin controlled mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical devices and circuitsembodied in the vending machine shown in the preceding views.

Referring specifically to the drawings in which similar referencecharacters refer to similar parts in each of the several views, myinvention in itspresent embodiment comprises a cylindrical cabinet Cdivided vertically by a transverse partition i5 into an upper chamber l8and a lower compartment l1. her and compartment, respectively, throughdoors l8 and It, the door I 8 being hinged on one vertical edge andprovided with a latch 20 on the other vertical edge which, when engagedwith the keeper 2| on the cabinet, may be secured in closed position bythe application of a suitable lock thereto. The partition, door I 8 andwalls defining the chamber iii are all provided with suitable heatinsulating material 22.

A shaft 23 extends upwardly and centrally through the partition 15, andas shown in Fig. 2, suitable bearings 24 are provided for mounting theshaft for rotation in the partition.- To support the shaft againstdownward movement a collar 25 is pinned to the shaft. Supported on thiscollar is the hub of a disk 26 having a flange 21, while at the upperend of the shaft is a similar disk 28 provided with a peripheral flange29. By means of set screws 30 the hubs of the disks 2B and 28 aresecured to the shaft 23 so that the disks are rotatable with the shaft.

Access is had to the cham- The disks 26 and 28 constitute parts of arotatable article carrier K, and, although, in the present instance, thecarrier is designed for carrying beverage containing bottles, it is tobe understood that it could be designed to accommodate articles of othershapes and sizes than bottles. The carrier is made up of an innerannular series of channel. bars 3|, and an outer annular series ofchannel bars 32 concentric of the inner series and with their channelsides confronting those of the inner series. As the present carrier isdesigned to carry sixteen stacks of bottles, there are sixteen bars ineach of the two series.

As shown in Fig. 4, the inner sides of the inner bars 3| are spot weldedto the disk flanges 21 and 29, and the outer bars 32 are rigidlyconnected at top and bottom to the inner bars by brace plates 33arranged in pairs. As an alternative construction (Fig. 4a), the innerends of the plates 33a of each pair (top and bottom) may extend betweenadjacent bars 3|a and be spot welded thereto. The other ends of theplates 33a are spaced apart and spot welded respectively to the innersides of the flanges of the outer bars 32a. In either construction theouter sides of the outer bars are connected top and bottom by metalbands 34 spot welded thereto.

Each inner bar 3| and the two corresponding outer bars 32 constitute arack in which bottles E may be inserted and stacked horizontally oneupon the other. In stacking the bottles they may be inserted between theouter bars with their neck ends foremost, so that the neck of eachbottle is received between the flanges of the respective inner bar 3|,while the butt end is received between the flanges of adjacent outerbars 32. By designing a carrier which permits of the stacking of bottlesin this manner, a maximum number of bottles may be accommodated andcarried in stacked relation for a carrier of a given diameter andheight.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the lowermost bottles of all of the stacks aresupported in the racks against downward discharge by the provision of aring 35 preferably in the form of a heavy wire, and lips 36 on the lowerends of the inner bars 3|. The ring extends through all of the flangesof the outer bars 32 at a point adjacent the lower ends of such bars.Thus they serve as a support for the butt ends of the bottles in all ofthe stacks. The lips 36, although inclined, serve to support the neckend of the bottles. Thus with the lowermost bottle of each stacksupported in this manner it will be clear that all bottles thereaboveare supported against downward discharge from the carrier.

Just above the lips 36, the bars 3| are provided with openings 31through which the neck end of the lowermost bottles may be extended intoa master opening 38 provided in a stationary cylinder 39 fixed to theupper side of the partition within the area defined by the inner bars3|. The extension of the neck of any lowermost bottle into the masteropening 38 is only possible when the bar opening 31 for that lowermostbottle is in registration with the master opening, for the cylinder 39otherwise serves to block the openings 3'! of the other bars.

In order to extend the neck of a bottle into the master opening 38 it isnecessary to move the 7 bottle endwise inwardly. Such bottle movementresults in its butt end being displaced from the supporting ring so thatthe bottle is now free to gravitate from the carrier through a deliveryopening 40 in the partition l5 and into a comcrl partment 4| formed by abox 42. Upon rotation of the carrier K, such endwise movement of thebottle is effected through the medium of a cam 43 flxed on a bracket 44secured within the cabinet. This cam is positioned and shaped to beengaged by the butt end of the bottle as it is moved by the carriertoward the delivery opening 4|], so that by the time the bottle isopposite the master opening 38 its neck has moved into the masteropening while its butt end has passed oil of the ring 35 to allow thebottle to fall from the carrier. Slots 45 are provided in the lower endsof the outer bars 32 to allow the cam 43 to engage the butt end of thebottles and still clear the bars.

In order to prevent other than the lowermost bottle of any one stackfrom being discharged with each operation of the machine, and also tolower onto the ring 35 and lip 36 without damage to the remainingbottles of that stack, a stationary supportis provided. This support isin the form of a plate having an elevated horizontal portion 46, whichoverlies the delivery opening 40, a downwardly curved portion 41 and avertical portion 48 secured at its base on the partition l5.

By reference to Fig. 5, it will be seen that the lowermost bottle of astack approaching the delivery opening 40 will pass beneath the plateportion 46, while the next bottle above passes on top of such plateportion to be supported thereby and thus support all of the otherbottles of that stack. With continued rotation of the carrier theaforesaid bottle passes off of the plate portion 46 onto the curvedportion 41 and then downwardly beside the vertical portion 48 onto thesupporting ring 35 and the corresponding lip 36. Thus it will be clearthat following discharge of the lowermost bottle from a stack the nextbottle above replaces it in position within the carrier to besubsequently discharged when that stack of bottles is again presented tothe delivery open- The top of the box 42 and the bottom of the deliveryopening 40 are normally closed by a trap door 49 hinged as at 50 toswing downwardl and urged to closed position by a spring 5|. The wall ofthe cabinet opposite the end of the box 42 is formed with an opening 52through which extends a chute 53. This chute is of such length that itsupper end extends into the box 42 where it is provided with a lip 54.The door 49 is of such length that when in open position it abuts thelip 54 and thus forms an upward continuation of the chute 53.Manifestly, when a bottle is discharged from the carrier through thedelivery opening 40, it opens the door 49 and slides thereover into thechute where it is accessible for removal by the purchaser. For futurereference, it is now pointed out that in the final position of thebottle a portion thereof still remains on the door to maintain thelatter in open position until the bottle is removed from the chute.

The carrier K is rotatable by an electric motor M secured to the underside of the partition I5; The shaft of this motor is connected to areduction gearing A having a shaft 55 provided with a pinion 56. Thepinion meshes with a ring gear 51 fixed to a disk 58 secured to thelower end of the shaft 23. On the upper side of the disk are an annularseries of cams 59 equidistantly spaced and sixteen in number tocorrespond to the number of racks of the carrier K. Under rotation ofthe disk 58 the cams 59 are caused to successively open a normallyclosed switch S having an arm 60 engageable by the cams to open theswitch. The operation of this switch is such that it opens to disruptcurrent supply to the motor to stop rotation of the carrier immediatelyfollowing movement of one rack to the delivery opening.

In a coin box B secured on the outside of the door I8 is a coin-operatedswitch S having a lever 6|, extending into the branch 63 of a coin chute62, the former leading to a coin tray (not shown) within the box. Thechute 62 is provided with a second branch chute 64 extending below ananvil 65. This branch chute 64 constitutes a return chute for returningcoins to the depositor. Within the branch chute 63 is a pin 66 movablevertically in a slot 61 and carried by the core 68 of a solenoid D.

When the solenoid D is energized the pin 66 is lifted so that upondepositing a coin in the upper end of the chute 62 it falls downwardlystriking the anvil 65, causing it to bounce across the return chute 64and beneath the pin 66. From here the coin continues through the branchchute 63 and into the coin tray. During passage of the coin through thechute 63 it engages the lever (ii to momentarily close the switch S.When the solenoid is deenergized, the pin 66 is lowered to obstruct thepassage of the coin through the branch chute 63 and causing it to fallinto the return chute 64.

Secured on the partition l at that side of the delivery opening 40fromwhich the bottle stacks approach the opening is a switch S providedfor the purpose of preventing operation of the motor M should a coin bedeposited into the box B when the machine is empty of bottles. Theswitch S comprises a pair of spring contact blades 69 which tend toclose but are held open by a lever under the action of a spring 1|. Thelever has a curved extension 1la which is deposited in the path ofmovement of the lowermost bottles of all of the stacks so as to besuccessively engaged by the bottles and thus constantly held in aposition in which the lever maintains the switch in open positionagainst the action of-the spring 1|. When the carrier is empty ofbottles the spring 1| actuates the lever to open the switch, as will beunderstood.

For preventing damage to the vending machine should a second operationthereof be permitted while abottle remains in the chute 53, a switch Sof the mercury tube type is mounted on the under side of the trap door49 so as to close or open according as the door is closed or opened.This switch S is adapted for connection in a circuit which controlsoperation of the motor M. Hence, it will be clear that as the door 49 isretained in open position by a bottle in the chute 53, the switchremains open to prevent operation of the motor until the bottle in thechute is removed.

To facilitate replenishing or refilling of the carrier with bottles, andwithout necessitating turning of the carrier by depositing coins in thebox B, a manually operable button type of switch S is mounted preferablyon the bottom wall 12 of the doorway of the cabinet C. This switch S isnormally open, but when closed causes operation of the motor M to rotatethe carrier K a distance corresponding to that between two bottlestacks. Thus by repeated closure of this switch the carrier may besuccessively rotated to render all racks accessible through the doorway.

As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 8, any suitable source of current,such as a generator G, may be provided for energizing the motor M, the

solenoid D, and arelay R. The relay is provided with a pair of contactarms 13 and 14 engageable with contact points 15 and 16, respectively,only when the relay is energized.

The circuit for the motor M includes wires 11 and 18 connected acrosswires 19 and extending from the terminals of the generator G. In themotor circuit is the contact the generator circuit is the primarywinding 8| of a step down transformer T. -The circuit for the solenoid Dincludes the secondary winding 82 of the transformer -T, switches S Sand S, and the winding of relay R. The windings of the solenoid andrelays are such that when both are interposed in the solenoid circuitthe relay is ineffective to actuate its contact arms and only thesolenoid is energized. The primary circuit for the relay R includes theswitch S or S, de-

pending upon which is closed, and the switches S S and S. Formaintaining the relay energized once it has been energized by completionof its primary circuit I provide a holding circuit which includes therelay contact arm 13 and the switch S.

The operation of the vending machine is as follows:

Normally the solenoid D is energized through its circuit which may betraced as follows: From one side of transformer secondary 82 throughwires 83 and 84, winding of solenoid D,' wire 85, normally closed switchS wire 86, normally closed switch S wire 81 and 88, normally closedswitch S, wire 89, winding of relay R, and wire back to the other sideof secondary 82. With the solenoid so energized the pin 66 is elevatedso that upon deposit into the chute 62 of a suitable coin the switch Swill be momentarily closed. Closure of switch S causes the solenoid tobe shunted from the primary circuit for the relay R, current now flowingthrough wire 9| to wire 86. As a consequence, relay R is now energizedso that its contact arms 13 and 14 are now moved to engage contactpoints 15 and 16 to close the motor circuit and the relay holdingcircuit. The relay holding circuit is as follows:

From wire 83, through contact arm 13, contact point 15, wire 81, switchS wire 88, switch S,

wire 89, winding of relay R, through wire 90 to the other side of thesecondary 82.

Closure of the motor circuit causes motor M to rotate the carrier K in acounter-clockwise direction as when viewed in Fig. 4, and until a new.stack of bottles is brought into registration with the delivery opening40 and the bar opening 31 into registration with the master opening 38.The instant this carrier position is reached the switch S momentarilyopens to disrupt the relay holding circuit. This allows movement of thecontact arm 14 to disrupt the motor circuit and thus bring the carrierto a stop. Under such movement of the. carrier the lowermost bottle ofthe newly presented stack moves beneath the horizontal plate portion 46and at the same time is engaged by the cam 43 to cause its butt endtomove off of the ring 35 and its neck end into the master opening 38.Thus the bottle is free to fall onto the door 49 to open the latter anddescend into the chute 53.

Opening of door 49 opens switch=S so that although switch S is nowclosed, the relay holdarm 14, while in S is inefl'ective to establishthe relay circuit, and, hence, a second operation of the machine cannotoccur.

As the switch S is in the circuit for the solenoid D it will be clearthat when the switch opens because all bottles have been dispensed fromthe carrier, the solenoid becomes deenergized to lower the pin 66 intoobstructing position to a coin entering the branch slot 63. Thus shoulda coin be deposited into the box B while the machine is empty ofbottles, the coin will be returned to the depositor.

Button switch 8 is connected to wires 84 and 9| through wires 92 and 93,thus bridging the coin switch S. Manifestly, by closing the switch S theprimary relay circuit can be established independently of the coinswitch to cause rotation of the carrier. Thus by successive closing ofthe switch S all racks can be presented in the doorway to allowrefilling thereof with bottles.

Although I have herein shown only one form of bottle vending machineembodying my invention, it is to be understood that various changes andmodifications may be made herein without departing from the spirit of myinvention and the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A vending machine, comprising; an enclosed chamber having a deliveryopening in the bottom thereof; a bottle carrier having a plurality ofvertically disposed racks in each of which bottles are adapted to bestacked horizontally one upon the other; means for mounting said carrierfor movement in said chamber to bring the lower ends of the rackssuccessively into registration with the delivery opening; bottlesupporting means in the lower end of each rack so constructed andarranged that by lengthwise movement of the lowermost bottle it can bedischarged into the delivery opening when the respective rack is inregistration with the opening; means for moving said carrier to bringthe racks successively into registration with the delivery opening; andmeans responsive to movement of said carrier for causing lengthwisemovement and discharge into the delivery opening of the lowermost bottleof any one stack as the respective rack is brought into registrationwith the delivery opening.

2. A vending machine, comprising; an enclosed chamber having a deliveryopening in the bottom thereof; a carrier having a plurality ofvertically disposed racks radiating from a common center and in each ofwhich bottles are adapted to be stacked horizontally one above theother; means for mounting said carrier for rotary movement in saidchamber to bring the lower ends of the racks successively intoregistration with the delivery opening; bottle supporting means in thelower ends of each rack so constructed and arranged that by lengthwisemovement of the lowermost bottle inwardly of the carrier the bottle canbe discharged into the delivery opening when the respective rack is inregistration with said opening; and means for producing lengthwisemovement of the lowermost bottle in any one stack as the respective rackis brought into registration with the delivery opening whereby thelowermost bottle is discharged into the delivery opening.

3. A bottle vending machine, comprising; an enclosed chamber having adelivery opening in the bottom thereof; a bottle carrier having aplurality of vertically disposed racks radiating from a common centerand in each of which bottles with their neck ends disposed inwardly areadapted to be stacked horizontally one above the other; means formounting said carrier for rotary movement in said chamber to bring thelower ends of the racks successively into registration with the deliveryopening; bottle supporting means in the lower end of each rack soconstructed and arranged that by movement of the lowermost bottleinwardly of the carrier it can be discharged into the delivery openingwhen the respective rack is in registration with said opening; and meansresponsive to rotary movement of said carrier for causing discharge intothe delivery opening of the lowermost bottle in any one stack as therespective rack is brought into registration with the delivery opening.

4. A vending machine, comprising; an enclosed chamber having a deliveryopening in the bottom thereof; an article carrier having a plurality ofvertically disposed racks in each of which articles are adapted to bestacked horizontally one upon the other; means for mounting said carrierfor movement in said chamber to bring the lower ends of the rackssuccessively into registration with the delivery opening; articlesupporting means in the lower end of each rack so constructed andarranged that by horizontal movement of the lowermost article it can bedischarged into the delivery opening when the respective rack is inregistration with the opening; means for moving said carrier to bringthe racks successively into registration with the delivery opening;means responsive to movement of said carrier for causing discharge intothe delivery opening of the lowermost article of any one stack as therespective rack is brought into registration with the delivery opening;and means for supporting the articles of any one stack against dischargeinto. the delivery opening with the lowermost article and for loweringsaid articles onto said supporting means under continued movement of thecarrier.

5. A vending machine, comprising; an enclosed chamber having a deliveryopening in the bottom thereof; an article carrier having a plurality ofvertically disposed racks radiating from a common center and in each ofwhich articles are adapted to be stacked horizontally one above theother; means for mounting said carrier for rotary movement in saidchamber to bring the lower ends of the racks successively intoregistration with the delivery opening; article supporting means in thelower ends of each rack so constructed and arranged that by horizontalmovement of the lowermost article it can be discharged into the deliveryopening when the re-- spective rack is in registration with said opening; means responsive to rotary movement of said carrier for causingdischarge into the delivery opening of the lowermost article in any onestack as the respective rack is brought into registration with thedelivery opening; and stationary means for supporting the articles ofany one a stack against discharge into the delivery opening with thelowermost article and for lowering said articles onto said supportingmeans under continued rotation of the carrier.

6. A bottle vending machine, comprising; an enclosed chamber having adelivery opening in the bottom thereof; a bottle carrier having aplurality of vertically disposed racks radiating from a common centerand in each of which bottles with their neck ends disposed inwardly areadapted to be stacked horizontally one above the other; means formounting said carrier for rotary movement in said chamber to bring thelower ends of the racks successively into registration with the deliveryopening; bottle supporting means in the lower end of each rack soconstructed and arranged that by movement of the lowermost bottleinwardly of the carrier it can be discharged into the deliveryopeningwhen the respective rack is in registration with said opening;means responsive to rotary movement of said carrier for causingdischarge into the delivery opening of the lowermost bottle in any onestack as the respective rack is brought into registration with thedelivery opening; and means for supporting the bottles of any one stackagainst discharge into the delivery opening with the lowermost bottleand for ,lowering said bottles onto said supporting means undercontinued rotation of the carrier.

7. In a bottle vending machine; a bottle carrier having elementsconstructed and arranged to form an annular series of verticallydisposed racks in each of which a plurality of bottles may be stackedhorizontally one above the other; means at the lower ends of the racksarranged to support the lowermost bottle in each rack so that by endwisemovement thereof to disengage a part of said means the bottle will [allfrom the bottom of the rack; a bottle outlet; means for supporting saidcarrier for rotative movement about a vertical axis and above the bottleoutlet to bring the lower end of each rack successively intoregistration with said outlet; means acting to confine the lowermostbottles of all racks against endwise movement to disengage said meanspart except that bottle in that rack registering with the bottle outlet;and means operable under rotation of said .carrier for imparting endwisemovement to the lowermost bottle of that rack registering withthe'bottle outlet to discharge said bottle into said outlet.

8. In a bottle vending machine; a bottle carrier having elementsconstructed and arranged to form an annular series of verticallydisposed racks in each of which a plurality of-bottles may be stackedhorizontally one above the other; means at the lower ends of the racksarranged to support the lowermost bottle in each rack so that by endwisemovement thereof to disengage a part of said means the bottle will fallfrom the bottom of the rack; a bottle outlet; means for supporting saidcarrier for rotative movement about a vertical axis and above the bottleoutlet to bring the lower end of each rack successively intoregistration with said outlet: a stationary cylinder arranged within thecarrier so as to form an abutment for the inner ends of the lowermostbottles of all of the stacks except that stack in registration with thebottle outlet til nel bars of both series for supporting bottlestherein.

10. In a bottle vending machine; a rotatable bottle carrier having aninner annular series of vertically disposed channel bars facingoutwardly to receive one end of bottles and having openings thereinadjacent the lower ends thereof,

' and-an outer annularseriesofvertically extending channel bars arrangedin staggered relation to the bars of the inner series and adapted toreceive between adjacent bars the other end of the bottles; lips at thelower ends of the bars where said cylinder is provided with an opening 7to allow endwise movement of the lowermost bottle; and means operableunder rotation of said carrier for imparting endwise movement to thelowermost bottle of that stack registering with the bottle outlet todischarge said bottle into said outlet. rm

9. In a bottle vending machine; a rotatable bottle carrier having aninner annular series of vertically disposed channel bars facingoutwardly to receive the neck end of bottles, an outer annular series ofvertically extending channel bars arranged in spaced relation to thebars of the inner series and adapted to receive between adjacent barsthe butt end of the bottles, and

coacting means on the lower ends'of theechanof the inner seriesextending upwardly to said openings; and a ring spanning the lower endsof the bars of the outer series, said lips and ring coacting to supportbottles horizontally within the racks.

11. In a bottle vending machine;-a rotary bottle carrier having elementsconstructed and 311 ranged to form an annular series of verticallydisposed racks in each of which bottles may be stacked horizontally oneabove the other, certain of said elements having'openings therein topermit horizontal inward movement of the lowermost bottle of each stack;a bottle outlet beneath the carrier; means in the carrier for supportingthe lowermost bottle of each stack so that it is capableof horizontalinward movement into said opening to so disengage said means as topermit discharge of the bottle into the bottle outlet; means forsupporting the carrier for movement about a vertical axis and above thebottle outlet to bring the lower ends of the racks successively intoregistration with said outlet; means within the carrier spanning all ofsaid element openings against bottle movements inwardly except theopening of the element of that rack in registration with the bottleoutlet; and means operable under rotation of said carrier for impartingendwise movement to the lowermost bottle of that stack registering withthe bottle outlet, whereby the bottle is so moved into said elementopening as to disengage said supporting means and discharge into thebottle outlet.

12; In a bottle vending machine; an enclosed chamber having a deliveryopening in the bottomthereof; a stationary cylinder in the chamberhaving an opening therein opposite but above the delivery opening; abottle carrier having an annular series of vertically disposed racks inwhich bottles are adapted to b stacked horizontally one upon the other,with openings in the l-vwer ends thereof in which the inner ends 'of thelowermost bottles of the stacks may b received to allow inward movementof said bottles;

means at th bottom of the racks for so supporting the lowermost bottlestherein as to permit inward movement thereof into the rack openings;means for mounting said carrier within said chamber and about saidcylinder for rotary movement to bring the racks thereof successivelyinto registration with the delivery opening so that the inner end of thelowermost bottle of each rack successively registers with said cylinderopening; and means operable by rotation of the carrier as each rackmoves into registra-' tion with the delivery opening for moving theinner end of the lowermost bottle inwardly into said cylinder opening,whereby said bottl disengages a part of said supporting means and thusfalls into the delivery opening.

13. In a bottle vending machine; an enclosed chamber having a deliveryopening in th bottom thereof; a stationary cylinder in the chamberhaving an opening therein opposite but above the delivery opening; abottle carrier having an annular series of vertically disposed racks inwhich bottles are adapted to be stacked horizontally one upon the other,with openings in the lower ends thereof in which the inner ends of lmovement to bring the racks thereof successivelyinto registration withthe delivery opening so that the inner end of the lowermost bottle ofeach rack successively registers with said cylinder opening; and a camdisposed in the path of movement of the lowermost bottles in the carrierso as to be operable under movement ofthe latter for moving the innerend or the lowermost bottle of that rack moving into registration withthe delivery opening, inwardly into said cylinder opening, whereby saidbottle disengages a part of said supporting means and falls into thedelivery opening.

14. In a bottle vending machine; a rotatable carrier having racks forholding bottles in vertical stacks with the bottles of each stackarranged horizontally one upon the other; an enclosure for said carrierhaving an opening in the bottom thereof; means for rotating said carrierto bring the lowermost bottle of each stack successively intoregistration with said opening; mechanism for discharging the lowermostbottle from each stack into said opening as the stacks successivelyregister with said opening; and means for maintaining elevated in eachrack those bottles above the bottl being discharged until after suchrack has passed out of registration with said opening.

15. A vending machine, comprising; an enclosed chamber having a deliveryOpening in the bottom thereof; a bottle carrier having a plurality ofvertically disposed racks in each of which bottles are adapted to bestacked horizontally one upon the other; means for mounting said carrierfor movement in said chamber to bring th lower ends of the rackssuccessively into registration with the delivery opening; means in thelower ends of each rack for sup porting a bottle at its neck and buttends and so that by lengthwise movement thereof in the direction of itsneck end the butt end will be displaced from said supporting means tocause its discharge into the delivery opening with its butt endlowermost; means for restraining the bottles from lengthwise movementexcept the lowermost bottle of that rack in registration with saidopening; means for moving said carrier to bring the racks successivelyinto registration with said opening; and means for moving the lowermostbottle of any one stack lengthwise as the respective rack is broughtinto registration with said opening, whereby the lowermost bottle isdischarged into said opening with its butt end lowermost.

16. A vending machine, comprising; an enclosed chamber; a bottle carrierhaving a plurality oi vertically disposed racks in each of which bottlesare adapted to be stacked horizontally one upon the other; means formounting said carrier for movement in said chamber to bring the lowerends of the racks successively into registration with said opening; acompartment below said carrier and said opening and communicating withsaid opening; an inclined chute extending from said compartment; adepressible door urged to and normally closing said opening; means inthe lower end of each rack for supporting a bottle only at its neck endand butt end so that under lengthwise movement of the bottle in thedirection of its neck end the butt end is first displaced from saidsupporting means to cause the bottle to be discharged in an inclinedposition and with its butt end first onto said door to open the latterand allow the bottle to gravitate into said opening; and means formoving the lowermostbottle lengthwise in the direction of its neck toeffect its discharge as aforedescribed.

17. In a bottle vending machine; a rotary bottle carrier having an innerseries of members for receiving the neck ends of the bottles, saidmembers having bottle neck receiving openings therein adjacent the lowerends thereof, and an outer series of members adapted to receive the buttends of the bottles, said outer series of members having slots in thelower ends thereof; projections at the lower ends of themembers of theinner series extending upwardly to said openings; an element secured tothe lower ends of the members of the outer series, said projections andelement coacting to support bottles horizontally within the carrier; anda fixed cam positioned to extend successively into said slots underrotative movement of the carrier to engage the butt ends of thelowermost bottles for displacing the latter from said element.

18. In a bottle vending machine; a rotary bottle carrier having an innerseries of members for receiving the neck ends of the bottles, saidmembers having bottle neck receiving openings therein adjacent the lowerends thereof, and an outer series of members adapted to receive the buttends of the bottles, said outer series of members having slots in thelower ends thereof; projections at the lower ends of the members of theinner series extending upwardly to said openings; an element secured tothe lower ends of the members of the outer series, said projections andelement coacting to support bottles horizontally within the carrier; afixed cam positioned to extend successively into said slots underrotative movement of the carrier to engage the butt ends of thelowermost bottles for displacing the latter from said element; andstationary means within the inner series of members for spanning saidopenings against bottle'movements inwardly, said means having an openingtherein for receiving the neck of a bottle and which registerssuccessively with the openings of said members under rotative movementof the carrier.

HARRY S. CHILDERS.

